If you came this morning looking for a deeply spiritual encouragement – perhaps you should come back tomorrow.  Today I just was tickled by an ESV study note that triggered the light-hearted thought that I share today.  I believe “A joyful heart is good medicine” Proverbs 17:22

Here’s the study note in 2 Thessalonians 3:17: “…and the final greeting was written in Paul’s own unique handwriting, which served as a mark of authenticity…”

We see this affirmation by Paul in several of his writings.
I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. 1 Corinthians 16:21

See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. Galatians 6:11

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Colossians 4:18

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. 2 Thessalonians 3:17

I, Paul, write this with my own hand… Philemon 1:19

In light of the 2016 elections (no I’m not going political on you) I would like to offer this interpretation of what Paul was saying when he signed his letters in his own hand: In 2016 Election vernacular we can read it this way:  I am Paul, and I approve this message.

Smile.
Diane

Diane Hunt
After serving 16 years full-time on the staff of America’s Keswick, Diane and her husband moved to North Carolina where she continues to serve part time as a contributing writer and Partner Care Consultant.  She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.

Dear one,
Today let us reflect upon just some of names of our Lord and the Scripture.  Allow Holy Spirit to fill your heart and mind with praise to His holy name.

The Rock of our Salvation
The Lord lives! ?Blessed be my Rock! ?Let God be exalted, ?The Rock of my salvation! (2 Sam. 22:47 NKJV)

The Captain of the Host of the Lord
So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.”
And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” (Joshua 5:14 NKJV)

Strong and Mighty Jehovah
Who is this King of glory? ?The Lord strong and mighty, ?The Lord mighty in battle.
(Ps. 24:8 NKJV)

King of Glory
Who is this King of glory? ?The Lord of hosts,?He is the King of glory. (Ps. 24:10 NKJ)

Excellent
Let them praise the name of the Lord,?For His name alone is exalted;?His glory is above the earth and heaven. (Ps. 148:13 NKJ)

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
For unto us a Child is born,?Unto us a Son is given;?And the government will be upon His shoulder.?And His name will be called?Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,?Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 NKJ)

My Shepherd
The Lord is my shepherd;?I shall not want. (Ps. 23:1 NKJ)

Blessings,
Patricia L. Wenzel
Woman of Character Graduate

We’re going to get a bit interactive today; I have a challenge for you. Read the following sentences, and think about if a specific person or group of people come to mind.

“I cannot believe what he/she did to me!”
“How could they treat me like that?”
“I still haven’t forgotten, even after all this time!”
“I’m still so angry at him/her!”
“They seriously need to change.”
“I’m done with them.”

Did someone (or some group) come to mind?

Now I have a tougher challenge…
Forgive them.

Forgiveness – it’s something that we all know we should do, but how often do we actually do it? If you’re still holding a grudge, you’re still holding onto unforgiveness in your heart.

There are so many Bible verses about forgiving others, but I’ll just list a couple and paraphrase:

1)    Matthew 6:14-15 – The Lord is saying that if you forgive, you will be forgiven and if you do not forgive, you will not be forgiven.

2)    Matthew 18: 21-22 – In these verses, Jesus told Peter to forgive others “seventy times seven times.” He did not say this to limit the amount of times we forgive, but to enforce that we should continue to forgive through the Spirit of God living within us (GotQuestions.org).

If we look at the story of Joseph, we will see he went through the ringer. Because of the jealousy of his brothers, he was sold for slavery, jailed, and received awful treatment. Once he was the ruler of Egypt and his brothers came for goods, Joseph had the power to punish them or forgive them, and chose forgiveness.

An even better example would be Jesus Christ Himself. If He forgives us for all of our countless sins, shouldn’t we be the first to forgive others? Even as He was dying on the cross, He cried out “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

There is power in forgiveness, and forgiveness sets us free. So, if a person popped in your mind in the beginning of this Victory Call, maybe it’s time to get quiet with God, search your heart, and choose forgiveness.

Erin

Erin Culleny serves as a Marketing Assistant and Staff Writer. She loves encouraging women through her Victory Calls and finds such joy in praying for her sisters in Christ. She is so excited that after 5 years on Summer Staff, she now has the opportunity to serve at Keswick year-round. Her favorite activities include reading her Bible, encouraging others with scripture, buying new dresses, and eating at the Cheesecake Factory… In that order!

The Jordan has been crossed.  Battles have been won.

Inheritance yet to be possessed.

Caleb approached Joshua to ask for his portion.

“And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the LORD spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old.  As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in.  Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the LORD spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the LORD said.” Joshua 14:10-12

Caleb – 85 years old – eager and ready to do battle to take possession of his inheritance.  No tent-potato here.  He wants what God has promised and he is willing to put forth effort to get it.
The people of Joseph (2 tribes – ½ tribe of Manasseh and Ephraim) also approached Joshua but rather than eager to possess they came to whine and complain:

Then the children of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, “Why have you given us only one lot and one share to inherit, since we are a great people, inasmuch as the LORD has blessed us until now?” So Joshua answered them, “If you are a great people, then go up to the forest country and clear a place for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and the giants, since the mountains of Ephraim are too confined for you.”  But the children of Joseph said, “The mountain country is not enough for us; and all the Canaanites who dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both those who are of Beth Shean and its towns and those who are of the Valley of Jezreel.” And Joshua spoke to the house of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—saying, “You are a great people and have great power; you shall not have only one lot, but the mountain country shall be yours. Although it is wooded, you shall cut it down, and its farthest extent shall be yours; for you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots and are strong.” Joshua 17:14-18

Joseph’s people had excuses why they could not possess their inheritance. They wanted their possession handed to them, the very opposite of Caleb.

So which camp do you fall into?  Are you a Caleb – ready to do battle to possess your inheritance?  The inheritance is already yours – will you possess it? OR are you in Joseph’s camp – full of excuses why it’s too difficult to possess the inheritance that Jesus died to give you?

Personally, I think all too often I am less like Caleb than I care to admit.

Challenged?  Me too!

Blessings, Diane

Diane Hunt  – After serving 16 years full time on the staff of America’s Keswick, Diane and her husband moved to North Carolina where she continues to serve part time as a contributing writer and Partner Care Consultant.  She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.

I love the biblical accounting in Numbers 13-14, of the 12 spies that Moses sent into Canaan to scope out the land.

Then Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said to them, “Go up this way into the South, and go up to the mountains, and see what the land is like: whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, few or many; whether the land they dwell in is good or bad; whether the cities they inhabit are like camps or strongholds; whether the land is rich or poor; and whether there are forests there or not. Be of good courage. And bring some of the fruit of the land.” Numbers 13:17-20

The 12 spies went north from Kadesh-Barnea to Hebron (where they saw the descendants of Anak – men of great height) and to the Valley of Eschol. After exploring for 40 days they returned to the camp of Israel at Kadesh.

The spies gave a report to Moses, Aaron and the Israelite community (vs. 26).

Then they told him, and said: “We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there.” … “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.” And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. There we saw the giant (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” Numbers 13:27-28, 31-33

But as you know Caleb assured the people they could take possession of the land (13:30). He and Joshua called the Israelite people to faith in God and to believe His promises.

But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: “The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey.’  Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them.” Numbers 14:6-9

But where was Moses?  He led the people through amazing trials and victories.  The people followed him – sometimes haltingly and sometimes with grumbling and complaining but they followed him.  His leadership, his vision, his faith mattered NOW! Israel needed Moses to lead in faith and courage.  Instead, they wanted to “choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”(vs. 4) Talk about a vote of no-confidence.  Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. Numbers 14:5

Reading through Moses’ history with Israel He had a difficult job, often leading unwilling, belligerent followers. Yet, by God’s grace he did it.  Several conversations between him and God are recorded in Scripture.  Yet, at least in the biblical account of the time between the spies returning and giving their report and the appearance of the glory of the LORD in the Tent of Meeting (14:10) – Moses is silent.

I find that curious. I’m going to Monday morning quarterback and ask, “How might things have been different if Moses demonstrated his faith believing God would keep His promise and deliver the land into their hands?” What if he had admonished the people not to fear and exhorted them to believe God was a promise-keeping God. Encouraging them to believe that He would do what He said He would do.  Just curious.  One day when I get to Heaven, I just might ask Moses myself what it was like that day.

Blessings, Diane

Diane Hunt  – After serving 16 years full time on the staff of America’s Keswick, Diane and her husband moved to North Carolina where she continues to serve part time as a contributing writer and Partner Care Consultant.  She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.

Remember when you first were saved? Do you remember your eagerness to learn, grow, change, and serve?

I remember when my family first attended a church where the Bible was preached and the Gospel taught.  Everything I heard was new so I took copious notes.  I had a hard time keeping up with the pastor when he preached because to me, he seemed to be speaking so fast. I felt like I had to write down practically every word. Over time I was able to keep up because my knowledge and understanding grew.  That was more than 30 years ago.

Have you been a believer a while?  It doesn’t really matter how many years because the question behind my question is this: Are you still growing? Are you still changing?  Are you still learning?
The more we read and study the Bible the more we realize there is so much more to learn.  We never come to the end of a study knowing all there is to know about that book, that Bible character or that theme.  Until we are called to glory, we still have learning, growing and changing to do.  It isn’t just a knowledge of the Bible but an application of truth to our lives that leads to more and more growth and change.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;  and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  2 Peter 1:5-8 (NIV)

If we are not growing in Christ-likeness, we need to take a serious look at our life and ask some hard questions.  Why am I not growing?  What hinders my pursuit of Christ-likeness? In what ways do I exhibit spiritual laziness?  How can I possess the qualities listed in 2 Peter 1:5-8 in increasing measure?

May we not be content with the status quo but rather to press in to seek hard after Christ that we may learn and grow and change.  I want to be more like Jesus at the end of the day, how about you?

Blessings, Diane

Diane Hunt – After serving 16 years full time on the staff of America’s Keswick, Diane and her husband moved to North Carolina where she continues to serve part time as a contributing writer and Partner Care Consultant.  She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.

For years I have described strongholds to people using a brick illustration.  Strongholds are built one brick at a time.  Every time we chose the wrong way, or allow our feelings and emotions to dictate our path, one brick gets added.  As we continue to make unrighteous or idolatrous choices over and over again, bricks keep getting added around us until finally we find ourselves enclosed in a brick cocoon, feeling trapped and unable to be free.

I go on to explain that every choice, every decision we make we either add a brick (idolatry) or we remove a brick (victory) from the cocoon, the stronghold.  Breaking free of the stronghold requires right choices despite our feelings and history, over and over and over again until all the bricks are removed.

I hope you are able to track my illustration because it gives a good picture of the role we play in developing strongholds. I believe people have been helped to understand in a practical way how to stop building an idolatrous stronghold.

[That is all lead-in sisters…]

One day, not too long ago, I was reading Psalms and once again read: Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

This thought occurred to me:  I have often used the brick illustration to help people understand how an idolatrous stronghold develops but I’m not sure I ever described how the right kind of stronghold is developed.

The LORD is the stronghold of my life… pause a moment.  How would those bricks be used redemptively to build a glorious godly stronghold that will withstand any and every onslaught of the enemy? Basically the same way.  Every time we think and respond in truth in a situation, we add a brick.  Every time we consider Scripture and allow it to inform our attitudes and actions we add a brick.  Every time we choose Jesus over the world, we add a brick. Every time we chose forgiveness over bitterness, we add a brick to the right stronghold. Every time we choose kindness over harshness, we add a brick. Every time we choose silence over gossip, we add a brick. Every time we choose self-control over gluttony, we add a brick. Every time we choose love over apathy or hatred, we add a brick.

Consistently choosing truth over lies creates a godly stronghold of protection.  The LORD is the stronghold of my life.  What do I have to fear? NOTHING.

Rest in that simple truth today.

Blessings, Diane

Diane Hunt  – After serving 16 years full time on the staff of America’s Keswick, Diane and her husband moved to North Carolina where she continues to serve part time as a contributing writer and Partner Care Consultant.  She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.

We all have them, don’t we?  We all have excuses that have the potential to persuade us away from obedience. They sound all so right and legitimate yet in the end they are just excuses.  I am NOT saying we all USE excuses, I’m just saying we all have access to them.

I think excuses are borne out of the eyes of our flesh, seeing life’s circumstances in the natural, solely on the horizontal plane.

If we use our excuses often enough and long enough they cease to even seem like excuses; they just seem to be valid, logical reasons.  I wonder what it would take for us to see our excuses for what they are: unbelief.

When the 12 spies returned from scoping out the Promised Land, ten of them came with their excuses as to WHY Israel could not take possession of Canaan.  Then they told him, and said: “We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the South; the Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and along the banks of the Jordan.… “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.” And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” (Numbers 13:27-29; 31-33)

Plain and simple – these ten spies convinced Israel that they could not possess the land.  The hurdles were insurmountable.  The obstacles too great.  All that may be true, humanly speaking, but they failed to recall one thing: The Lord has given Israel the land. And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel…” (Numbers 13:1-2). God’s promise was there but Israel failed to appropriate it. They failed to believe.

When we focus on all the reasons we CANNOT overcome temptation, we will NOT overcome temptation. When we focus on all the reasons we CANNOT obey, we will NOT obey.

What are your excuses for your unbelief?  This may take some serious soul-searching because our flesh wants to protect itself.  Our excuses will seem like valid, legitimate reasons rather than excuses.  But let’s get real with ourselves.  Whatever we call them, if they lead us to disobedience and sin – they have to go.

We, too, have promises that supersede the obstacles and hurdles we see in the natural.

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13; For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5:4;  I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Gal 2:20

I ask again. What are your excuses?  In what areas are you prone to unbelief?

By faith we believe that God gives us everything we need to obey. He gives us a way out of temptation. He gives us faith to believe. His very own Son lives in us and lives His life through us.

…as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness… 2 Peter 1:3

He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:24

Because of the Gospel, we have no excuse.

Blessings, Diane

Diane Hunt  – After serving 16 years full time on the staff of America’s Keswick, Diane and her husband moved to North Carolina where she continues to serve part time as a contributing writer and Partner Care Consultant.  She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.

Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Ecc. 4:9-10

This August I was privileged to be able to pick my brother up in Maine to drive him to New Jersey after he completed walking the entire length of the Appalachian Trail. I was kept entertained the entire drive with stories of his adventure. I relay this story as it has a great biblical connection.

Getting injured along the trail requires one to be their own doctor and to treat themselves. My brother told me how twice he was injured in places that he just couldn’t see to know what needed to be done. Once he was injured on his foot in a spot unseen and another time on the back of his head. He told of how frustrating it was to be alone on the trail and just unable to take proper care of care of himself. It was then that he realized a mirror is an essential item in a first aid kit. If one cannot see the problem one cannot take proper care of the problem. Both injuries required that he wait until he met up with someone on the trail to have them take a look and describe to him what they saw as well as to help assist with any first aid.

It was like a light bulb went off and we both saw the analogy to our personal lives. Often there are issues, problems, sins, and behaviors that are a part of our lives that we do not see. We are often blind to what others can see much clearer from their perspective. God has called us into relationship with others for just that purpose – to be the mirror that shows us our hidden problems. We need people in our lives that we can stop and ask them to look into our souls and tell us what they see. It is only then that we can take the appropriate steps needed to find healing.

Luckily none of my brother’s injuries were very serious. However, I cannot help thinking how deeply engraved our problems can become if we fail to ask others to help us see inside our hearts and be a mirror for us.

Do you have someone in your life that walks with you to gently tell you about your life and help you see where you need to change, grow or heal? I do, and I encourage you to find someone or pray for God to bring people along your path that are willing to assist you and be the mirror in your life.

Lynne

Lynne Jahns is a Christian counselor and holds the honor of being the first Director of Barbara’s Place at America’s Keswick, a residential addiction recovery ministry for women. Lynne is married to Bill Jahns, who also serves on staff at America’s Keswick as the Director of Housekeeping.  When not working and studying, Lynne loves to be outdoors and to travel.  Family is very important to both Lynne and Bill and a lot of free time is spent with relatives and close family friends. Lynne holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Behavioral Sciences from Cedarville University in Ohio, a Master of Arts degree from The College of New Jersey in Community Counseling, and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree from Louisiana Baptist University.

This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Years ago my sisters would do a great impression of a woman who, while on a youth retreat, would wake everyone up with a loud joyful voice and quote “This is the day which the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it”. Mind you, this was said while my sister’s eyes rolled and her tone of voice carried more than a little sarcasm. While it might make for a funny memory, I can’t think that many of us would enjoy waking up in this manner.

I consider myself a morning person but not a waking up person. Dave will jump out of bed at the first sound of his alarm. I have to work myself into the day. I use the old trick of setting my clock ahead so I can hit the snooze bar a few times! Once up and about my thinking isn’t that God has given me another day in which to rejoice. I’m sure your mind first wanders to the coffee pot, then maybe the news and events of the day. It takes a little while to clear out the cob webs.

But what a great challenge this is! Can you and I awaken full of gratitude with a joyful expectation of the day ahead? As we start our day in the Word of God we can find reason to begin the morning with rejoicing. The key is to understand that we rejoice in Him and what He has made, not in our circumstances. We can have joyful expectation in the day ahead because He is already there!

Blessings,
Kathy

Kathy Withers is on staff at America’s Keswick and serves as Director of Partner Care. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 30 years. They have two adult children. Kathy is active in her local Church and teaches a Bible Study for women. Her passion is to encourage women to deepen their walk with Jesus Christ by finding and living out the truths of God’s Word.